This British Beauty Brand Has A New Alcohol-Free Toner Designed For Oily, Acne-Prone Skin — & It’s Already Selling Out

If you’re in the market for a toner that balances rather than strips your skin, Facetheory is one brand that’s worth knowing about. The U.K.-based skin care line offers a wide selection of nourishing alcohol-free toners for every skin type. This includes the brand’s new Saliatica 2% BHA Toner T6, which is designed for oily and combination skin and has already been selling out. I recently gave it a try to see if this buzzed-about brand lives up to the hype. Keep reading to find out what one week of use has done for my complexion, and whether or not this toner might be right for you.

Facetheory: A Feel-Good Beauty Brand

Facetheory was founded in 2015, and the British brand has since built a loyal following based on a direct-to-consumer business model. A few notable things about Facetheory’s products:

They’re formulated with plant-based ingredients. Every Facetheory product combines botanical extracts with highly active ingredients. Its website even includes a glossary of ingredients, explaining their benefits and compatibility with different skin types. Saliatica Toner T6 is also free of parabens, silicones, PEGs, SLS, SLES, and mineral oils. Another interesting feature is that many products come in both scented and unscented forms.

They’re vegan and cruelty-free. Facetheory does not use animal products or test on animals. The company is both Leaping Bunny and PETA-approved.

They have sustainability in mind. Most Facetheory products are packaged in recyclable glass and aluminum containers. The small amount of plastic that is used — such as for tube closures — is recyclable, according to the brand, and the boxes are made with recycled cardboard.

Facetheory sells exclusively through its website, which means that you can’t sample this toner through retailers. But the brand is so confident in its products that it will exchange or refund any item within 365 days of purchase.

Who Is Facetheory Products Suitable For?

Facetheory designs products for every skin type. Those without specific skin care concerns can build a minimal routine comprised of a cleanser, toner, and moisturizer; others can find a range of products to target oil control, hyperpigmentation, redness, and more.

More About The Saliatica Toner T6

The Facetheory Saliatica Toner T6 is designed for oily, combination, and blemish-prone skin types. It includes salicylic acid (2%) to help target and minimize acne and lactic acid (0.49%) to promote a brighter complexion.

The formula also includes polylysine, or a microbiome-balancing complex, which studies have shown to assist “in the regeneration and treatment of skin disorders” and help reduce the appearance of sun damage.

The last “hero ingredient,” as Facetheory calls it, is centella asiatica. A 2017 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences showed that this herb may be effective in treating eczema, while a 2008 study published in Experimental Dermatology found that centella asiatica improved skin elasticity and hydration.

First Impressions

The minimalist packaging is equal parts sophisticated and functional. For instance, the toner is housed in a simple glass bottle that looks great on my bathroom shelf, but the amber color blocks light and helps prevent the active ingredients from deteriorating prematurely. (Other Facetheory products come in aluminum tubes, which also work to limit exposure to UV rays and bacteria.)

In my experience, the Saliatica Toner T6 is also truly unscented. I found it to be a welcome alternative to the pungent aroma of witch hazel, which (if you have oily skin like me) you might be familiar with.

How To Use Saliatica Toner T6

Simply apply the toner to your face and neck with a cotton pad after cleansing your skin. It can be used up to twice daily, depending on your skin’s sensitivity. Facetheory recommends being vigilant about sunscreen use, or limiting sun exposure altogether while using this product and for one week afterward.

Note that this toner should not be used if you are under 18, pregnant, or allergic to aspirin.

If you’re interested in the benefits of the Saliciatica Toner T6, but not looking to add a toner into your routine, Facetheory offers other noteworthy products, including its Clarifying Cleanser, which boasts an exfoliating mix of 2% salicylic acid, 4% glycolic acid, and 1% lactic acid to help eliminate dead skin sells and enhance your complexion.

The Verdict

I’ve only been testing it out for a little over a week, so I can’t comment on the long-term benefits just yet. I happened to start using this toner during a point in my cycle when my face wasn’t particularly oily. For this reason, I was concerned that Saliatica Toner T6 might be too strong for my sensitive skin. However, it hasn’t caused any irritation and it blends seamlessly into my regular routine (cleanser, serum, moisturizer, retinol).

One minor critique is that it leaves a slight residue, but I wouldn’t consider this a dealbreaker. Not only will I continue to use the toner, but I may add other items from the brand into my daily regimen.

Check out the Facetheory site to browse more of its best-selling products

Studies referenced:

Arif, T. (2015) Salicylic acid as a peeling agent: a comprehensive review. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4554394/

Zarrintaj, P., Ghorbani, S., Barani, M., Pal Singh Chauhan, N., Khodadadi Yazdi, M., Reza Saeb, M., Ramsey, J., Hamblin, M., Mozafari, M., & Mostafavi, E.(2022) Polylysine for skin regeneration: A review of recent advances and future perspectives. Bioengineering and Translational Medicine, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8780928/

Ju Ho Park, J. H., Choi, J. Y., Son, D. J., Park, E. K., Song, M. J., Hellström, M., & Hong, J. T. (2017) Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Titrated Extract of Centella asiatica in Phthalic Anhydride-Induced Allergic Dermatitis Animal Model. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5412323/

Haftek, M., Mac-Mary, S., Le Bitoux, M., Creidi, P., Seité, S., Rougier, A., & Humbert, P. (2008) Clinical, biometric and structural evaluation of the long-term effects of a topical treatment with ascorbic acid and madecassoside in photoaged human skin. Experimental Dermatology, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1600-0625.2008.00732.x